case 1:08-cv-01380-plf document 3 filed 08/07/2008 page 1 ... · case 1:08-cv-01380-plf document 3...

Case 1:08-cv-01380-PLF Document 3 Filed 08/07/2008 of 30

) Plaintiffs, ) ) Civil Action No. v. ) ) REPUBLIC OF SUDAN, MINISTRY OF THE ) INTERIOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE ) SUDAN, ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN, ) IRANIAN REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS ) CORPS, IRANIAN MINISTRY OF ) INFORMATION AND SECURITY ) ) Defendants. ) )

COMPLAINT Plaintiffs through undersigned counsel respectfully bring this action against the Republic

of Sudan, the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of the Sudan, the Islamic Republic of Iran,

the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps and the Iranian Ministry of Information and Security

jointly and severally, and allege as follows:

1. This action is brought by Plaintiffs for serious injuries and deaths suffered as a

result of the August 7, 1998 terrorist attacks upon the United States Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya

and in Dar Es Salaam. The terrorist attack was carried out by the al Qaeda terrorist group, headed

by Osama Bin Laden, and was provided with material support or resources including cover,

sanctuary, technical assistance, explosive devices and training by Defendants.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

2. Plaintiffs bring this action pursuant to the Anti-Terrorism Amendments to the

Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1602 et seq, and the laws of the jurisdiction of

residence of Plaintiffs.

3. This court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action pursuant to 28

2

U.S.C. §§ 1330(a), 1331, and 1605A.

4. Defendants are subject to suit in the courts of the United States pursuant to 28.

U.S.C. § 1605A, an exception to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act allowing suit against

foreign state sponsors of terror, for extrajudicial killings and other terrorist actions committed by

said states and their agents.

5. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1605A, jurisdiction is proper where either the claimant or

victim is a United States citizen or where the victim at the time of the terrorist attack was an

employee of the Government of the United States acting within the scope of the employee’s

employment.

6. Plaintiffs and/or decedents are United States citizens, United States nationals,

and/or employees of the Government of the United States, employed at the United States

Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya and/or an individual performing a contract awarded by the United

States government acting within the scope of the employee’s employment at the time of the

terrorist attack.

7. Private actions for personal injury and related torts brought by Plaintiffs against

foreign state sponsors of terrorism under 28 U.S.C. § 1605A(c) are uniquely and wholly Federal

versions of what are traditionally state-law causes of action. These purely Federal tort actions

were signed into law on January 22, 2008. Cf. P.L. 110-181 § 1083 (2008).

8. Plaintiffs bring their claim within 28 U.S.C. § 1605A(c)(2)'s statute of limitations

of “10 years after the date on which the cause of action arose.”

9. Venue in this Court is proper in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. §

1391 (f)(4), which provides in pertinent part that a civil action against a foreign state may be

brought in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

3

DEFENDANTS

10. Defendant, the Republic of Sudan is a foreign state which at all times alleged

hereinafter was designated a state sponsor of terrorism pursuant to Section 6(j) of the Export

Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. § 2405 (J)).

11. Defendant, the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of the Sudan, is an agency

of Defendant, the Republic of the Sudan. Its activities at the time of this occurrence included the

support of terrorist activities directed against foreign targets by terrorist groups operating with

cover of the Republic of the Sudan.

12. The Defendant, the Republic of the Sudan, acting through the Defendant, the

Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of the Sudan, entered into an arrangement with Al Qaeda

and Hezbollah under which those organizations received shelter and protection from interference

while carrying out planning and training of various persons for terrorist attacks, including the

August 7, 2008 attacks on the United States Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and in Dar Es Salaam,

Tanzania. These included an organizational and planning meeting within the Republic of Sudan

between Al Qaeda and Hezbollah officials, with the purpose of planning and carrying out the

attacks on the United States Embassy in Kenya, which caused the injuries and death to Plaintiffs’

as, described hereinafter.

13. Defendant, the Islamic Republic of Iran is a foreign state which at all times

alleged hereinafter was designated a state sponsor of terrorism pursuant to Section 6(j) of the

Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. § 2405 (J)).

14 Defendants the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (“IRGC”) by and through its

Quds Force Division (“Quds”), and the Iranian Ministry of Information and Security (“MOIS”)

4

are agencies of the Defendant, the Islamic Republic of Iran, responsible for providing the

military and intelligence services through which Iran trained, supported, and otherwise guided

and directed the terrorist organizations responsible for causing Plaintiffs’ injuries and trauma as

described hereinafter.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

15. Starting in 1989, an international terrorist group emerged dedicated to opposing

non-Islamic governments with brutal force and terrifying violence. This organization grew out of

“mekhtab al khidernat” (the “Azzam Service Center”) organization which maintained offices in

Peshawar, Pakistan, and received funds from Islamic charities, wealthy Saudi families, mosques,

legitimate businesses and criminal enterprises, among others.

16. Under the leadership of Osama Bin Laden (“Bin Laden”), among others, the

Azzam Service Center expanded, created terrorist cells in various parts of the world, financed

and supported other terrorist groups dedicated to committing acts of violence, murder,

destruction and mayhem. From approximately 1989 until the present, this terrorist group called

itself “Al Qaeda”.

17. In the early 1990’s, the government of Sudan sent overtures to Osama Bin Laden

and al-Qaeda officials, inviting the group to relocate en mass from Afghanistan to the Sudan. The

representatives of the Sudanese government promised the support of their government should al-

Qaeda relocate.

18. The government of Sudan is run by President Field Marshall Omar Hassan al-

Bashir, the head of state of the Sudan, through an alliance of the military and the National

Congress Party, formerly the National Islamic Front (NIF).

19. In or about 1991, the leadership of Al Qaeda, including Bin Laden, relocated to

5

the Sudan. Al Qaeda was headquartered in the Sudan from approximately 1991 until

approximately 1996.

20. From approximately 1991 to 1996, Bin Laden resided at a large villa in Khartoum,

Sudan, with an office and guesthouse. During this time, the Sudanese government provided

security for Al Qaeda consisting of Sudanese men dressed in army fatigues and jeeps with

Sudanese army license plates.

21. At various times between 1991 and 1996, Al Qaeda, under the direction of Bin

Laden, stated privately to Al Qaeda members that they should put aside differences with Shiite

Muslim terrorist organizations, including the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its

affiliated terrorist group Hezbollah.

22. The Islamic Republic of Iran chose Lebanon as a destination for the

implementation of the Islamic revolution due to its strong ties between the shi’ite community of

Lebanon and Iran. Based on the ideological and spiritual allegiance with Lebanon the Islamic

Republic of Iran had a key role in the foundation of Hezbollah.

23. Hezbollah is an organization of Lebanese Muslims who are adherents of the Shia

or Shiite faction of Islam. It represents itself as “an Islamic freedom fighting movement” which

views any part of the Near East under the control of the State of Israel as “occupied land”.

Hezbollah advocates the expulsion of the United States from the Near East and is committed to

violent action to that end and to the termination of the existence of the State of Israel.

24. Hezbollah has been designated by the United States as a Specially Designated

Terrorist continuously since 1995, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization since 1997, and as a

Specially Designated Global Terrorist since 2001.

25. The ties between Hezbollah and Iran are evidenced by their interpersonal religious

6

channel, frequent meetings between Hezbollah’s leaders and Iranian officials, politicians and

delegates and financial, organizational and military connections.

26. Defendant Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps played a substantial role in the

establishment of Hezbollah as explained by Na’im Qasem, one of the founders of Hezbollah:

“upon its foundation, Hezbollah saw a possibility for achieving its goals and aspirations through

the backing and reinforcement expressed by the Islamic Republic of Iran. This was manifested

through the dispatch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard of Lebanon in the wake of the Israeli

invasion with a mission to train and recruit Lebanese youth willing to combat Israel.”

27. From its inception in the early 1980’s until today Hezbollah officials maintain

close relationships with official representatives in Iran’s embassies in Beirut and Damascus as

well as Iranian Revolutionary Guards officials.

28. An official connection between Iran and Hezbollah exists as currently, the nine

member Shura council of Hezbollah, the representatives responsible for translating the political

decisions made by the council into operative decisions, consists of two government-appointed

Iranian clerics.

29. Essam Al Riddi (“Al Riddi”), a pilot for Bin Laden, discussed the possibility of Al

Riddi transporting stinger missiles from Pakistan to the Sudan. Bin Laden assured Al Riddi that

the Sudanese intelligence agencies would cooperate with the weapons transfer.

30. Sudanese intelligence officers were organized into a “delegation office” to meet

the needs of the Al Qaeda group in the Sudan. This delegation office provided security for Al

Qaeda and facilitated the movement of weapons in and out of the country.

31. President al-Bashir provided a letter to Bin Laden explicitly approving of the

presence of Al Qaeda in the Sudan. The letter allowed Al Qaeda members to bypass tax and

7

customs collection on international shipments and guaranteed their shipments, both incoming

and out-going, would not be inspected.

32. Weapons and explosive shipments to Al Qaeeda were moved through a quay,

protected by the Sudanese military in Port Sudan, into a barracks used by Sudanese armored and

mechanized infantry. The letter from al-Bashir allowed shipments from overseas to bypass

inspection at a port and then travel to Khartoum without inspection by local police.

33. The Sudanese government employed Al Qaeda to manufacture chemical weapons

in a section of Khartoum called Hilat Koko, for use in the genocidal campaign in southern

Sudan. Al Qaeda entered into a transaction to purchase uranium through the former President of

the Sudan. The quality of the uranium was tested in Hilat Koko.

34. At various times between 1991 and 1996, Mamdouh Mamud Salim (“Salim”), an

Al Qaeda operative, met with Iranian religious officials to arrange an agreement between Al

Qaeda, the National Islamic Front (NIF) of Sudan, and elements of the Government of Iran to

work together against the United States, Israel and other western countries.

35. As a result of those meetings, Al Qaeda forged alliances with the NIF and with

representatives of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and its associated terrorist

group Hezbollah, for the purpose of working together against their perceived common enemies

in the West, particularly the United States.

36. The NIF, under the leadership of Hassn al-Turabi (“Turabi”) intensified its

domination of the government of Sudanese President General Bashir. The NIF organized its own

militia and maintained ties to Iran, including its visit to Iranian President Rafsanjani in December

1991 and a high level Sudanese military delegation visit to Teheran, Iran during the summer of

1992.

8

37. Following discussions between Al Qaeda and Iranian leaders in Sudan, senior Al

Qaeda operatives and trainers traveled to Iran to receive training in explosives. In the fall of

1993, a delegation of Al Qaeda operatives traveled to Lebanon for further training in explosives,

intelligence and security from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

38. Bin Laden expressed particular interest in Iran’s knowledge of advanced

explosives such as truck bombs that were used to kill 241 United States Marines in Lebanon.

39. Iran established Sudan terrorist training bases operated by the Islamic

Revolutionary Guards, primarily through its Quds Force, that trained the Sudanese as well as

other operatives.

40. The Quds (Jerusalem) Force is one of five branches of the Islamic Revolutionary

Guards, the strongest military-security body in Iran and the regime’s main support. The Quds

Force was established at the beginning of the 1990’s and is an elite unit numbering in the

thousands. The Quds Force activities range from establishing educational systems for

indoctrination and civilian infrastructures supporting Iran and its radical ideology through

operating armed terrorist and guerilla cells and acting to subvert secular, pro-Western Arab-

Muslim regimes.

41. Iran maintained its presence in Sudan by providing arms, instructors and funds to

train Al Qaeda forces located within Sudan. Hezbollah and Iranian officials provided intelligence

and security training to Al Qaeda operatives, in Sudan and Lebanon, throughout 1991 to 1993.

Iran also provided Al Qaeda with explosives designed to look like rocks.

42. The Quds Force provided training in the use of explosives, assassinations and

kidnapping to terrorist organizations, including Al Qaeda,

A. Embassy Bombing in Nairobi, Kenya

9

43. In or about 1993, various members of Al Qaeda, began to establish businesses and

residences in Nairobi, Kenya.

44. In 1993, Osama Bin Laden asked Ali Mohamed to set up an al-Qaeda cell in

Nairobi, Kenya. Mohamed responded by setting up a cell of a dozen operatives.

45. In late 1993, Bin Laden instructed Ali Mohamed to scout out possible United

States targets in Nairobi, Kenya for a possible terrorist attack. Mohamed later confessed that he

took pictures, drew diagrams and wrote a report that he presented to bin Laden and top al-Qaeda

advisors in Sudan.

46. Based on the photographs provided by Mohamed, Bin Laden pointed to where a

truck could be used as a suicide bomber at the United States Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.

47. According to an article published in the San Francisco Chronicle on September

21, 2001, United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) traced phone calls from

Mohamed’s California residences to Bin Laden associates in Nairobi, including bin Laden’s

personal secretary Wadih El-Hage (“El-Hage”).

48. El-Hage moved to Sudan in 1992 to work as Bin Laden’s personal secretary and

later moved to Nairobi, Kenya to run an Al-Qaeda cell in charge of a sham charity called “Help

Africa People”.

49. Bin Laden relocated Al Qaeda to Afghanistan in 1996 and actively recruited

Iranian members. Iranian border officials were instructed by Defendants not to stamp the

passports of individuals heading from Iran to Afghanistan in order to help Al Qaeda use the

passports of their members who may be killed on the front lines. Al Qaeda had continuous

contact with Iranian security officials and Hezbollah, including advice and training, continued

after Bin Laden’s return to Afghanistan.

10

50. In February 1998, Al Qaeda endorsed a fatwah under the banner of the

“International Islamic Front for Jihad on the Jews and Crusaders.” This fatwah, published in the

publication of Al-Quds al-‘Arabi on February 23, 1998, stated that Muslims should kill

Americans – including civilians – anywhere in the world where they can be found.

51. In or about June 1998, Mohamed Rashed Daoud Al- ‘Owhali (“Owhali”) and

another Al Qaeda representative filmed a videotape to celebrate their anticipated “martyrdom” in

a bombing operation to be conducted against the United States interests in East Africa.

52. In or about late June or early July 1998, Al-Qaeda representatives Fahid

Mohammed Ally Msalam (“Msalam”) and Sheikh Ahmed Salim Swedan (“Swedan”) purchased

a Toyota Dyna truck in Mombasa, Kenya, and made alterations to the back of the truck.

53. On or about July 31, 1998, Owhali, traveled from Pakistan to Nairobi Kenya.

54. In or about early August 1998, Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah (“Abdullah”),

Mohamed Sadeek Odeh (“Odeh”) and other members of Al Qaeda traveled from Mombasa,

Kenya to Nairobi, Kenya.

55. During the first week of August 1998, Abdullah, Fazul Abdullah Mohammed

(“Mohammed”) and Owhali, met at a villa located in Nairobi, Kenya to make final preparations

for the bombing of the United States Embassy.

56. On August 7, 1998, beginning at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time, Mohammed,

drove a pick-up truck to the vicinity of the United States Embassy while Owhali rode in the

Toyota Dyna that contained a large bomb, to the United States Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.

57. On August 7, 1998, at approximately 10:30 a.m. Owhali got out of the Toyota

Dyna as it approached the rear of the Embassy as another Al Qaeda operative drove the truck

into the rear of the Embassy while firing a handgun at the windows of the Embassy building.

11

58. Shortly thereafter, the Al Qaeda operative detonated an explosive device within

the vehicle at a location near the rear of the Embassy building causing a total of more than 213

deaths, including Evans Onsongo.

59. The Iranian Ministry of Information and Security, the Iranian agents in operation

control of Hezbollah, operated with high level technical expertise in the use of explosives which

would not have been available to Al Qaeda operatives in the absence of Iranian participation.

60. At the time of the terrorist attack on the United States Embassy, Plaintiffs and/or

Plaintiffs decedents were United States citizens, United States nationals, and/or employed by the

Government of the United States and working under the scope of his/her employment and/or an

individual performing a contract awarded by the United States government acting within the

scope of the employee’s employment at the time of the explosion.

61. On August 6, 1998, one day before the attack on the Embassy of Nairobi was

carried out, the Islamic Republic of Iran withdrew all of its diplomatic personnel from Nairobi.

62. On August 11, 1998, the Islamic Liberation Army of the People of Kenya, an off-

shoot of Al Qaeda, issued a statement in Arabic from London, England, taking responsibility for

the Embassy bombing in Nairobi.

63. On August 20, 1998, by Executive Order 13099, United States President William

Clinton modified the Annex to Executive Order 12947 designating Bin Laden and key Al Qaeda

operatives as individuals who threaten to disrupt the Middle East peace process.

64. On October 18, 2001, four Al Qaeda members including Owhali, Odeh, and El-

Hage were sentenced to life without parole for their role in the 1998 Embassy bombings in East

Africa, including the bombing in Nairobi, Kenya.

B. United States Embassy Bombing in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

12

65. In or about March 1998, Al Qaeda operatives Khalfan Khamis Mohamed

(“Khalfan”) and Mustafa Mohamed Fadhil (“Fadhil”) met in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania and

agreed to participate in a “jihad job”.

66. On or about May 4, 1998, Khalfan applied for a Tanzanian passport in the name of

Zahran Nassor Maulid.

67. In June 1998, Khalfan and Fahid Mohammed Ally Msalam (“Msalam”) purchased

a white Suzuki Samurai at a location in Dar Es Salaam and rented a house in the Ilala District of

Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

68. Throughout the summer of 1998, Fadhil, Khalafan, Msalam and Ahmed Khalfan

Ghailani (“Ghailani”) met at a residence on Amani Street in Dar Es Salaam to discuss the

bombing of the United States Embassy in Tanzania.

69. In or about July 1998, Ghailani and Ahmed Salim Swedan (“Swedan”) purchased

a 1987 Nissan Atlas truck in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, arranged for mechanical and welding

work on the truck, and purchased two large truck batters, oxygen, and acetylene tanks.

70. In July 1998, Mohamed Sadeek Odeh (“Odeh”) was advised by Ahmed Mohamed

Hamed Ali (“Ali”) that Bin Laden had formed a united front against the United States with other

Islamic extremist groups.

71. Prior to August 2, 1998, Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah (“Abdullah”) provided Odeh

with a false passport to facilitate his travel to Afghanistan for the purpose of meeting with Bin

Laden and other al Qaeda operatives.

72. During the last week of July and first week of 1998, Fadhil, Khalfan, Msalam and

another operative known as “Ahmed the German” met at a residence in the Ilala District of Dar

Es Salaam to make final preparations for the bombing of the United States Embassy in Tanzania.

13

73. In July or August 1998, Khalfan, Msalam, Ghailani, Fadhil, and others loaded

boxes of TNT, cylinder tanks, batteries, detonators, fertilizer and sand bags into the back of the

1987 Nissan Atlas Truck.

74. At approximately 10:40 a.m. on August 7, 1998, “Ahmed the German” detonated

an explosive device located within the 1987 Nissan Atlas in the vicinity of the United States

Embassy in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. The explosion severely damaged the United States

Embassy and resulted in the death of at least 11 persons and injured at least 85.

75. Plaintiffs’ injuries were caused by a willful and deliberate act of terror by Al

Qaeda, acting under direct and indirect sponsorship and/or direction, and with the direct material

support and resources of the Defendants.

76. In the early hours, prior to the bombing, facsimiles were sent to London, England,

claiming responsibility for the embassy bombings in the name of the “Islamic Army for the

Liberation of the Holy Places, which claimed that the Dar Es Salaam bombing was carried out by

an Egyptian national.

77. Khalfan, Fadhil, Msalam, Ali, Ghailani, Swedan, and Ahmed the German were

members of Al Qaeda and perpetrated the bombing of the United States Embassy in Dar Es

Salaam, Tanzania at the direction of and/or on behalf of Al Qaeda.

Throughout August 7, 2008 and August 8, 2008, two Al Qaeda operatives Adel Abdel Bary

(“Bary”) and Ibrahim Eidarous (“Eidarous”) participated in the dissemination of claims of

responsibility for the bombings of the United States Embassies in Dar Es Salaam.

78. The actions of the agents and co-conspirators of the Defendants, and those who

were substantially aided and abetted by Defendants, as set forth above, inflicted mental distress

upon the families of the Plaintiffs. The material support rendered to co-conspirators of the

14

Defendants, and those who were substantially aided and abetted by Defendants, fits within the

definition of material support as described by 18 U.S.C. § 2339 (A).

79. The formation of Hezbollah and its emergence as a terrorist organization was the

product of direct intervention by Iranian operatives, including the Iranian Revolutionary Guards,

the Quds Force and the Iranian Ministry of Information. Al Qaeda was financed, technologically

supported and/or commanded by Iranian military and intelligence operatives, including

Hezbollah.

COUNT I ESTATE OF EVANS ONSONGO

WRONGFUL DEATH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF 28 U.S.C. § 1605 and § 1605A AS AMENDED AND 16 D.C. CODE § 16-2701.

80. Plaintiff, Mary Onsongo, Personal Representative of the Estate of Evans Onsongo,

repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth above with equal effect as if alleged

herein.

81. On August 7, 1998, when the explosive device described above was detonated,

Evans Onsongo, an employee of the United States government working at the United States

Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, suffered fatal injuries resulting in his death. The death of Evans

Onsongo was caused by a willful and deliberate act of extra judicial killing. The Defendants,

through their agents, financed the attack and rendered material support to the activities of Al

Qaeda that resulted in the serious injuries and deaths of Evans Onsongo. Those agents were at all

times acting within the scope of their agency and acted on the direction of the Defendants, the

Republic of Sudan, the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of the Sudan, the Islamic

Republic of Iran, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps and the Iranian Ministry of

Information and Security.

82. The beneficiaries of Evans Onsongo, namely his wife Mary Onsongo, his children

15

Enoch Onsongo, Peris Onsongo and Vanice Onsongo, his father, Onsongo Mweberi, his mother,

Salome Mweberi, and his siblings, Bernard Onsongo, Edwin Nyangau Onsongo, George

Onsongo, Eunice Onsongo, Peninah Onsongo and Gladys Onsongo, as a direct and proximate

consequence of the actions of the Defendants described above, for which the Defendants are

vicariously, jointly and severally liable suffered pecuniary loss, including assistance to the

beneficiaries, the loss of future earnings and accretions to the Estate of Evans Onsongo and the

funeral and burial expenses.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, Mary Onsongo, demands judgment on behalf of the Estate of

Evans Onsongo, jointly and severally, against Defendants the Republic of Sudan, the Ministry of

the Interior of the Republic of the Sudan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iranian Revolutionary

Guards Corps, and the Iranian Ministry of Information and Security, in the amount of TEN

MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000.00) plus costs.

COUNT II ESTATE OF EVANS ONSONGO

SURVIVAL CLAIM 12 D.C. Code § 12-101 AND 28 U.S.C. § 1605A

83. Plaintiff, Mary Onsongo, Personal Representative of the Estate of Evans Onsongo,


herein.

84. Decedent, Evans Onsongo, from the time of injury to death thereafter suffered

extreme bodily pain and suffering as a result of the actions described above which were

undertaken by the agents of the Defendants, and the Decedent has suffered damages.




16

Guards Corps and the Iranian Ministry of Information and Security, in the amount of TEN

MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000.00) plus costs.

COUNT III MARY ONSONGO, ENOCH ONSONGO, PERIS ONSONGO, VANICE ONSONGO,

ONSONGO MWEBERI, SALOME MWEBERI, BERNARD ONSONGO, EDWIN NYANGAU ONSONGO, GEORGE ONSONGO, EUNICE ONSONGO,

PENINAH ONSONGO and GLADYS ONSONGO SOLATIUM CLAIM PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 1605A AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL AND STATE COMMON LAW FOR INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF

EMOTIONAL DISTRESS

85. Plaintiffs, Mary Onsongo, Enoch Onsongo, Peris Onsongo, Vanice Onsongo,

Onsongo Mweberi, Salome Mweberi, Bernard Onsongo, Edwin Nyangau Onsongo, George

Onsongo, Eunice Onsongo, Peninah Onsongo And Gladys Onsongo, repeat and re-allege each

and every allegation set forth above with equal effect as if alleged herein.

86. As a direct consequence of the actions of the Defendants, the Republic of Sudan,

the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of the Sudan, the Islamic Republic of Iran the Iranian

Ministry of Information and Security, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, and the Quds

Force, Plaintiffs have suffered extraordinary grief and mental anguish, in that the Defendants,

acting through their agents and by their conduct intended through infliction of physical injury

resulting in the serious injury and death upon Evans Onsongo to cause severe emotional distress

upon his wife Mary Onsongo, his children Enoch Onsongo, Peris Onsongo and Vanice Onsongo,

his father, Onsongo Mweberi, his mother, Salome Mweberi, and his siblings, Bernard Onsongo,

Edwin Nyangau Onsongo, George Onsongo, Eunice Onsongo, Peninah Onsongo and Gladys

Onsongo.

87. The conduct described above was so extreme and outrageous as to exceed all

possible bounds of decency and must be regarded as atrocious and utterly intolerable in a

17

civilized community and the emotional distress suffered by Plaintiffs was so severe that no

reasonable person could be expected to endure it.

88. As a direct and proximate result of the intentional infliction of emotional distress

and extreme and outrageous actions of Defendants, Plaintiffs have suffered damages.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs, Mary Onsongo, Enoch Onsongo, Peris Onsongo, Vanice

Onsongo, Onsongo Mweberi, Salome Mweberi, Bernard Onsongo, Edwin Nyangau Onsongo,

George Onsongo, Eunice Onsongo, Peninah Onsongo and Gladys Onsongo, demand judgment

jointly and severally against Defendants the Republic of Sudan, the Ministry of the Interior of the

Republic of the Sudan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iranian Ministry of Information and

Security, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, in the amount of TWENTY MILLION

DOLLARS ($20,000,000.00) plus costs.

COUNT IV ESTATE OF EVANS ONSONGO

PUNITIVE DAMAGES PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 1605A 89. Plaintiff, Mary Onsongo, Personal Representative of the Estate of Evans Onsongo,


herein.

90. The actions of the Defendants, carried out by their agents as described above,

were malicious, willful, unlawful and in wanton disregard of life and the standards of law that

govern the actions of civilized nations. The loss of life as above described was intended as a

result by each Defendant. The Decedent was not engaged in war or in police duties. The actions

of those who carried out the attack described were within the scope of their agency on behalf of

the Defendants. In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1605A, the estate of decedent

is thereby entitled to punitive damages.

18




Guards Corps and the Iranian Ministry of Information and Security, in the amount of TWO

HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($250,000,000.00) plus costs.

COUNT V ESTATES OF JOSIAH OWUOR and EDWINA OWUOR


91. Plaintiff, Osborn Olwch Awala, Personal Representative of the Estates of Josiah

Owuor and Edwina Owuor re-alleges each and every allegation set forth above with equal effect

as if alleged herein.


Josiah Owuor, an employee of the United States government working at the United States

Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, suffered fatal injuries resulting in his death. The death of Josiah

Owuor was caused by a willful and deliberate act of extra judicial killing. Edwina Owuor, his

wife died due to stress and depression, resulting from her husband, Josiah Owuor’s death. The

Defendants, through their agents, financed the attack and rendered material support to the

activities of Al Qaeda that resulted in the serious injuries and deaths of Josiah Owuor and

Edwina Owuor. Those agents were at all times acting within the scope of their agency and acted

on the direction of the Defendants, the Republic of Sudan, the Ministry of the Interior of the

Republic of the Sudan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps and

the Iranian Ministry of Information and Security.

93. The beneficiaries of Josiah Owuor and Edwina Owuor, namely Osborn Olwch

Awala, brother and brother-in-law, and Warren Awala, and Vincent Owour, children, as a direct

19

and proximate consequence of the actions of the Defendants described above, for which the

Defendants are vicariously, jointly and severally liable suffered pecuniary loss, including

assistance to the beneficiaries, the loss of future earnings and accretions to the Estates of Joseah

Owuor and Edwina Owuor and the funeral and burial expenses.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, Osborn Olwch Awala, demands judgment on behalf of the

Estates of Josiah Owuor and Edwina Owuor jointly and severally, against Defendants the


Republic of Iran, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, and the Iranian Ministry of

Information and Security, in the amount of TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000.00) plus

costs.

COUNT VI ESTATES OF JOSIAH OWUOR and EDWINA OWUOR

12 D.C. Code § 12-101 AND 28 U.S.C. § 1605A


Owuor and Edwina Owuor, repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth above with

equal effect as if alleged herein.

95. Decedents, Josiah Owuor and Edwina Owuor from the time of injury to their

deaths thereafter suffered extreme bodily pain and suffering as a result of the actions described

above which were undertaken by the agents of the Defendants, and the Decedent have suffered

damages.


Estates of Josiah Owuor and Edwina Owuor jointly and severally, against Defendants the



20

Information and Security, in the amount of TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000.00) plus

costs.

COUNT VII OSBORN OLWCH AWALA, WARREN AWALA, and VINCENT OWOUR SOLATIUM

CLAIM PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 1605A AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL AND STATE COMMON LAW FOR INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF

EMOTIONAL DISTRESS

96. Plaintiffs, Osborn Olwch Awala, Warren Awala, and Vincent Owour repeat and re-

allege each and every allegation set forth above with equal effect as if alleged herein.



Ministry of Information and Security, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, Plaintiffs

have suffered extraordinary grief and mental anguish, in that the Defendants, acting through their

agents and by their conduct intended through infliction of physical injury resulting in the serious

injury and deaths upon Josiah Owour and Edwina Owuor to cause severe emotional distress upon

husband brother and brother-in-law Osborn Olwch Awala, and children, Warren Awala, and

Vincent Owour.







WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs, Osborn Olwch Awala, Warren Awala, and Vincent Owour

demand judgment jointly and severally against Defendants the Republic of Sudan, the Ministry

21

of the Interior of the Republic of the Sudan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iranian Ministry of

Information and Security, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, in the amount of

TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS ($20,000,000.00) plus costs.

COUNT VIII

ESTATES OF JOSIAH OWUOR AND EDWINA OWUOR PUNITIVE DAMAGES PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 1605A


Owuor and Edwina Owuor repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth above with

equal effect as if alleged herein.




result by each Defendant. The Decedents were not engaged in war or in police duties. The

actions of those who carried out the attack described were within the scope of their agency on

behalf of the Defendants. In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1605A, the estates of

decedents are thereby entitled to punitive damages.


Estates of Josiah Owuor and Edwina Owuor, jointly and severally, against Defendants the



Information and Security, in the amount of TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION


22

COUNT IX ESTATE OF ERIC ONYANGO


102. Plaintiff, Martha Achieng Onyango, Personal Representative of the Estate of Eric

Onyango, repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth above with equal effect as if

alleged herein.


Eric Onyango, an employee of the United States government working at the United States

Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, suffered fatal injuries resulting in his death. The death of Eric

Onyango was caused by a willful and deliberate act of extra judicial killing. The Defendants,

through their agents, financed the attack and rendered material support to the activities of Al

Qaeda that resulted in the serious injuries and deaths of Eric Onyango. Those agents were at all

times acting within the scope of their agency and acted on the direction of the Defendants, the



Information and Security.

104. The beneficiaries of Eric Onyango, namely his sisters Martha Achieng Onyango

and Juliana Atieno Onyango, as a direct and proximate consequence of the actions of the

Defendants described above, for which the Defendants are vicariously, jointly and severally

liable suffered pecuniary loss, including assistance to the beneficiaries, the loss of future earnings

and accretions to the Estate of Eric Onyango and the funeral and burial expenses.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, Martha Achieng Onyango, demands judgment on behalf of the

Estate of Eric Onyango, jointly and severally, against Defendants the Republic of Sudan, the

Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of the Sudan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iranian

23

Revolutionary Guards Corps, and the Iranian Ministry of Information and Security, in the

amount of TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000.00) plus costs.

COUNT X ESTATE OF ERIC ONYANGO

SURVIVAL CLAIM 12 D.C. Code § 12-101 AND 28 U.S.C. § 1605A

105. Plaintiff, Martha Achieng Onyango, Personal Representative of the Estate of Eric


alleged herein.

106. Decedent, Eric Onyango, from the time of injury to death thereafter suffered

extreme bodily pain and suffering as a result of the actions described above which were

undertaken by the agents of the Defendants, and the Decedent has suffered damages.




Revolutionary Guards Corps and the Iranian Ministry of Information and Security, in the amount

of TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000.00) plus costs.

COUNT XI MARTHA ACHIENG ONYANGO and JULIANA ATIENO ONYANGO

SOLATIUM CLAIM PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 1605A AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FEDERAL AND STATE COMMON LAW FOR INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF

EMOTIONAL DISTRESS

107. Plaintiffs, Martha Achieng Onyango and Juliana Atieno Onyango, repeat and re-

allege each and every allegation set forth above with equal effect as if alleged herein.



24

Ministry of Information and Security, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, and the Quds

Force, Plaintiffs have suffered extraordinary grief and mental anguish, in that the Defendants,

acting through their agents and by their conduct intended through infliction of physical injury

resulting in the serious injury and death upon Eric Onyango to cause severe emotional distress

upon his sisters Martha Achieng Onyango and Juliana Atieno Onyango.







WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs, Martha Achieng Onyango and Juliana Atieno Onyango,

demand judgment jointly and severally against Defendants the Republic of Sudan, the Ministry

of the Interior of the Republic of the Sudan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iranian Ministry of

Information and Security, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, in the amount of

TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS ($20,000,000.00) plus costs.

COUNT XII ESTATE OF ERIC ONYANGO

PUNITIVE DAMAGES PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 1605A 111. Plaintiff, Martha Achieng Onyango, Personal Representative of the Estate of Eric


alleged herein.



25


result by each Defendant. The Decedent was not engaged in war or in police duties. The actions

of those who carried out the attack described were within the scope of their agency on behalf of

the Defendants. In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 1605A, the estate of decedent

is thereby entitled to punitive damages.




Revolutionary Guards Corps and the Iranian Ministry of Information and Security, in the amount

of TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($250,000,000.00) plus costs.

COUNT XIII CLAIM OF IRENA KUNG’U

PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 1605A AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL AND STATE COMMON

LAW FOR BATTERY

113. Plaintiff, Irena Kung’U , repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth

above with equal effect as if alleged herein.

114. On August 7, 1998, members of Al Qaeda by use of an explosive device at the

United States Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, as above described, willfully, violently and forcefully

battered and did violence upon the body of the Plaintiff Irena Kung’U, a United States employee,

inflicting severe and permanent injuries upon him resulting in great pain and suffering, which

injuries required and continue to require extensive medical treatment, have necessitated the

expenditure of funds, inter alia, for hospitals, physician’s services, nursing care, and

rehabilitation treatment, have deprived the Plaintiff of earning capacity and have permanently

disabled the said Plaintiff. The willful, wrongful, and intentional acts of Al Qaeda were funded

26

and directed by Defendants, the Republic of Sudan, the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic

of the Sudan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iranian Ministry of Information and Security, and

the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, and constituted a battery upon the person of the

Plaintiff.

WHEREFORE, Plaintif, Irena Kung’U , demands judgment jointly and severally against

Defendants the Republic of Sudan, the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of the Sudan, the

Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iranian Ministry of Information and Security, and the Iranian

Revolutionary Guards Corps, in the amount of TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS

($20,000,000.00) plus costs.

COUNT XIV CLAIM OF IRENA KUNG’U


LAW FOR ASSAULT

115. Plaintiff, Irena Kung’U, repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation set forth


116. The members of Al Qaeda, as above alleged, intentionally and willfully placed the

Plaintiff, in fear and apprehension of harm as a direct result of their actions including the

physical abuse they inflicted upon him. The willful, wrongful, and intentional acts of Al Qaeda

were funded and directed by Defendants, the Republic of Sudan, the Ministry of the Interior of

the Republic of the Sudan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Iranian Ministry of Information and

Security, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, and the Plaintiff was injured in that he

endured extreme mental anguish, physical injury and pain and suffering.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, Irena Kung’U, demands judgment jointly and severally against


27



($20,000,000.00) plus costs.

COUNT XV CLAIM OF IRENA KUNG’U


LAW FOR INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS



118. As a direct and proximate result of the willful, wrongful and intentional acts of Al

Qaeda members, whose acts were funded and directed by Defendants the Republic of Sudan, the


Ministry of Information and Security, and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, Plaintiff

endured extreme mental anguish and pain and suffering, suffered the loss of the company of his

family and friends, and was subjected to intense physical injury, pain, discomfort and

inconvenience.





($20,000,000.00) plus costs.

COUNT XVI CLAIM OF IRENA KUNG’U

PURSUANT TO 28 U.S.C. § 1605A PUNITIVE DAMAGES


28


120. The actions of the Al Qaeda members, as above set forth, were intentional and

malicious and in willful, wanton and reckless disregard of Plaintiff’s rights and physical well

being. All of the acts of Al Qaeda were facilitated by funding, training and support by the



Revolutionary Guards Corps. The actions of those who carried out the attack described were

within the scope of their agency on behalf of the Defendants. In accordance with the provisions

of 28 U.S.C. § 1605A, Plaintiff is thereby entitled to punitive damages.




Revolutionary Guards Corps, in the amount of TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION


Dated: August 6, 2008

29

Case 1:08-cv-01380-PLF Document 3 Filed 08/07/2008 of 30

case 1:08-cv-01380-plf document 3 filed 08/07/2008 page 1 ... · case 1:08-cv-01380-plf document 3...

Documents